Bolts get a preseason look at the NFC champs

SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers fancy themselves as the wanna-be West
Coast version of the Pittsburgh Steelers with their strong running
game, stingy defense and young quarterback.

Tonight at Qualcomm Stadium, the Chargers meet the team the
Steelers disposed of in Super Bowl XL, the Seattle Seahawks.

But regardless of winning or losing their third exhibition game,
the Chargers (1-1) won't be able to put their blueprint alongside
the Steelers'. While the NFL charges top dollar for these glorified
scrimmages, the Chargers' top participants won't play for long --
if at all.

Idle Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson will continue to
be the sport's highest-paid cheerleader. Quarterback Philip Rivers
won't see the end of the third quarter; ditto the starting
defense.

Instead, the team's final exhibition home game allows the
Chargers and their coaches to keep evaluating talent as the first
of the two cuts loom on Tuesday.

The arrival of the next-to-last exhibition tilt emphasizes that
training camp has come and gone. That players no longer wrestle
with two-a-days, undersized beds at the Holiday Inn and food that
some found unappetizing.

"I want to see another game, another opportunity to see them
compete," Schottenheimer said. "I think we'll have a much better
idea of how they're going to shape up going into that final
preseason game."

The condition of the Chargers' offensive line went off-kilter
Wednesday with rookie left tackle Marcus McNeill breaking a finger.
All signs were pointing to McNeill winning his battle with Leander
Jordan, as veteran Roman Oben (foot) remains sidelined.

McNeill won't be missing for long, according to Schottenheimer.
But McNeill loses the traction he was gaining.

Jordan has been OK, which isn't what the Chargers are seeking in
protecting Rivers' blind side. While Rivers will play tonight into
the third quarter, he does so with the coaching staff holding its
collective breath, hoping he doesn't get clocked.

The left tackle spot isn't the only position to be
finalized.

Cornerback Drayton Florence has held the edge over top pick
Antonio Cromartie to start opposite Quentin Jammer. But
Schottenheimer hasn't given Florence the official nod, so the
battle resumes.

The Chargers also need to decide if Marlon McCree is better
suited for free or strong safety. If it's free, the competition
shifts to the strong spot between Terrence Kiel, Bhawoh Jue and
Clinton Hart.

If it's strong for McCree, Jue could retain his starting job at
the free.

The punt-returning duties also bring a question mark, after
Darren Sproles was lost for the season with a broken leg. Undrafted
free agent Cletis Gordon gets another shot, but the Chargers will
likely settle on wide receiver Eric Parker. But Parker's status for
tonight is in doubt with a thumb injury.

If Gordon shines -- he did so on kickoffs last week, but not
punts -- that would save Parker's slight body for the passing
game.